Christian Greeks

[unknown2u]

To the Christian Greeks:

Has anytime during your Greek Life/Experience did you have to compromise your religious beliefs and values? If so how did you handle it??

[valkyrie]

What about non-christian greeks who felt that their religious or non-religious values may have been compromised?

[Tom Earp]

It elevated it. Does that answer your (?)

[a.e.B.O.T.]

I think the values of my organization, and I would assume the majority of all fraternities help enrich your spirituality and values. Its when chapters go off the path and conduct themselves in a way that would put their founding fathers to shame, that a fraternity man's values and spirituality are being compromised.
I find it funny that my mom didnt want me to join a fraternity at first because of this reason. She, obviously not knowing the ritual, was afraid that joining a fraternity would force me to worship false idols... Ill be honest too, I was a little afraid before I was inititiated that my christian beliefs would be compromised by our ritual, but they dont in anyway. If anything they support it.

[unknown2u]

No not really. I guess I have seen this more with the BGLO's but you hear people say that they are a Christians and then they do things with their frat/soror that go against their beliefs....and I just wanted to know do they think this wrong? What are their justification for this? Or can you say no to certain things? I know that most BGLO are based on Christian principles, so would they understand you saying no to somethings.

For example my friend was a leader of Bible Study here on campus and he pledged XYZ fraternity and at his Pro-show he was cussing and doing sexual innuendos and it just concerned me as a POI.

[unknown2u]

Originally posted by a.e.B.O.T.
I think the values of my organization, and I would assume the majority of all fraternities help enrich your spirituality and values. Its when chapters go off the path and conduct themselves in a way that would put their founding fathers to shame, that a fraternity man's values and spirituality are being compromised.
I find it funny that my mom didnt want me to join a fraternity at because of this reason. She, obviously not knowing the ritual, was afraid that joining a fraternity would force me to worship false idols... Ill be honest too, I was a little afraid before I was inititiated that my christian beliefs would be compromised by our ritual, but they dont in anyway. If anything they support it.

thank you for your input it

[kddani]

Originally posted by unknown2u
No not really. I guess I have seen this more with the BGLO's but you hear people say that they are a Christians and then they do things with their frat/soror that go against their beliefs....and I just wanted to know do they think this wrong? What are their justification for this? Or can you say no to certain things? I know that most BGLO are based on Christian principles, so would they understand you saying no to somethings.

For example my friend was a leader of Bible Study here on campus and he pledged XYZ fraternity and at his Pro-show he was cussing and doing sexual innuendos and it just concerned me as a POI.

I think this has less to do with Greek orgs than it does society as a whole. There's millions of "Christians" out there who do things, on their own free will, that are against their supposed values every single day.

[Kevin]

It will be an experience unique to you and you alone. I'm sorry to say that all of our answers will be woefully inadequate here. You could go into the must irreverant chapter ever and through that end up with a stronger faith and a better understanding of your religious beliefs, or it could be the opposite.

It's almost like you're blending yourself with those who you'll hopefully be around for the next 4-5 years. Everyone mixes a little differently.

For me, I don't think it effected my religious beliefs one way or the other.

[RioLambdaAlum]

nope

[PhoenixAzul]

I've stood up for my Catholic faith several times in Greek events...but then again, I go to a Methodist aflliated college. There's tons of support out there for Christian greeks...one of my sisters started a sorority bible study, and I found this website www.4greeks.org. Also, use your chaplains!!! They are there for a reason.

[unknown2u]

Originally posted by PhoenixAzul
I've stood up for my Catholic faith several times in Greek events...but then again, I go to a Methodist aflliated college. There's tons of support out there for Christian greeks...one of my sisters started a sorority bible study, and I found this website www.4greeks.org. Also, use your chaplains!!! They are there for a reason.

Thanks I really appreciate it. I guess my biggest concern was would I have to compromise my faith and beliefs for the sake of my GLO and I apprecate some of the real answers. I rather somebody be real and tell me on the front that YES! there may be times where you would have to do somethings that contradicts the Word of God... or somebody to be like NAW! GLOs respect your faith and would never ask you to compromise your beliefs. I would rather know on the front in becasue it will make a some sort of an impact on my future decisions.

I noticed a lot of people responded but I would like if somebody from a BGLO could answer and someone who is a Christian because thats is where my interest lie. Thanks!

[DSTinguished1]

There are somethings that only YOU can determine and no one can make those choices for you. I hope you understand. Good luck in your future endeavors.

BTW: Yes I am apart of a BGLO and I am a born again Christian and I can truly say that my faith has become stronger because of my Sorors.

[KSUViolet06]

I'm Greek and a Christian. I never compromised my values. I wouldn't have joined if I felt I had to. If anything, Tri Sigma has made my faith stronger. I have met so many women of faith in own chapter, and others across the country. I go to church with several of my sisters on a regular basis. One of my sisters even started a Greek Life Group (kind of like a bible study) through The Dive , a campus ministry under Campus Crusade for Christ.

[DZkaren]

This is a good question and something I struggled with when I was in school. My suggestion is to stand strong in your faith and not let anyone pressure you to do something different.

I now work for an organization called Greek InterVarsity and we work with students who are Christians and are Greek. There are ways you can share your faith in your house and not be pushy. I think we can all agree we never want to be preached at or talked down to because of things we are doing. The best thing you can do is love others in your house...that's what we are called to do!

We've got lots of resources on our website that might help you. You can check them out at www.greekiv.org. We will be launching info on our Greek Conferences later this week (aiming for Thursday)....make sure you look into that. We'll be hosting conferences in L.A., Indianapolis and Charlotte, N.C. Maybe you can make one!

Be encouraged as your being challenged. Stand strong and love those in your house!

[DZkaren]

I just read through the thread and noticed you wanted some more input from BGLO since that is what you are interested in. Bear with me for another promo....

Greek InterVarsity usually works with your traditional white Greek student. However, we are praying about and looking into ways to expand to the BGLO, AA Greek students and Latino/Latina Greeks. InterVarsity has a Black Collegiate Ministry that is hosting a conference in Atlanta in December that is working with the theme of "Identity Theft". Here's a link to it:
http://www.intervarsity.org/bcm/atlanta2005/

Again...I hope this helps. You've asked a great question and are smart to look for answers before you make a decision! Good luck!